European Scientific J ournal March 2014 edition vol.10, No.

9 ISSN: 1857 7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431

281
MAXIMUM POWER POINT EVALUATION OF
PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES UNDER SHADING
EFFECT



Younis Khalaf
Osama Ibraheem
Mustafa Adil
Salih Mohammed
Mohammed Qasim
Khaled Waleed
University of Anbar, Renewable Energy Research Center, Iraq


Abstract
In this paper, the effect of shading on solar Photovoltaic (PV)
modules is evaluated by using a simulation model, which is able to simulate
both the I-V and P-V characteristics curves for PV panels with different
sizes. Three percentages of shading states (25%, 50%, 75%) and without
shading were used as efficiency limitations. The results are extracted and
simulated using the Matlab software. One-diode equivalent circuit is applied
in order to investigate electrical characteristics of a typical Kyocera 54W and
Solara 130W solar modules. The results show that the performance of both
models is widely decreased and the models cant charge the batteries if the
shading near 75% or more for single panel. The systems with small sizes
panels have better performance than these with large panels; the drop voltage
due to shading was increased with a bigger size.

Keywords: Shading, PV, MPP, Solara, Kyocera

Introduction
Shade is a significant design factor affecting the performance of
many, if not most, of todays photovoltaic systems (David, 2012). Measuring
the extent of shade on a solar array can be challenging due to the fact that
shadows move as the sun position moves throughout the day and year. This
is further complicated by changes in the source of shade itself, for example, a
tree can sway in the wind or lose its leaves during the winter, changing the
type of shade and casts on a solar array. Compounding the complexities in
shade analysis is the fact that even a small area of shade can have a
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significant impact on the total output of the PV system. In particular, solar
power electronics, such as inverters, micro inverters or power optimizers,
have a range of responses to shade, depending on their ability to adapt to
complex power curves. Up to this point, scientific tests of shade impact have
been performed using a variety of products and procedures, resulting in an
equal variety of claims about the effects of shade and the best products and
processes to deal with it. Therefore, there is a need for standardized
procedures for evaluating the effect of shade and for standardized modeling
methods to predict lifetime impact.
Shading of photovoltaic systems can cause high loss in performance
(Volker, 1995). For the calculation of the performance loss the irradiance on
each cell of the solar generator must be known. Then, the I-V-curve of a
photovoltaic generator can be calculated using numerical methods. The
irradiance on a tilted solar generator can be obtained from measurements of
the global irradiance on the horizontal plane, geographical data and the
calculated position of the sun. Objects, which possibly cause irradiance
losses, are placed in the surroundings of the solar generator. The reduced
diffuse irradiance on the solar generator can be obtained by surface integrals.
The addition of the reduced direct and diffuse irradiance and a ground
reflection component leads to the reduced irradiance on the solar cells.
PV modules are very sensitive to shading unlike a solar thermal panel
which can tolerate some shading, many brands of PV modules cannot even
be shaded by the branch of a leafless tree. Shading obstructions can be
defined as soft or hard sources. If a tree branch, roof vent, chimney or other
item is shading from a distance, the shadow is diffused or dispersed. These
soft sources significantly reduce the amount of light reaching the cells of a
module. Hard sources are defined as those that stop light from reaching the
cells, such as a blanket, tree branch, bird dropping, or the like, sitting directly
on top of the glass. If even one full cell is hard shaded the voltage of that
module will drop to half of its unshaded value in order to protect itself. If
enough cells are hard shaded, the module will not convert any energy and a
tiny drain of energy on the entire system. Partial-shading even one cell of a
36-cell module will reduce its power output. Because all cells are connected
in a series string, the weakest cell will bring the others down to its reduced
power level. Therefore, whether half of one cell is shaded, or half row of
cells is shaded, the power decrease will be the same and proportional to the
percentage of area shaded, When a full cell is shaded, it can act as a
consumer of energy produced by the remainder of the cells, and trigger the
module to protect itself. The module will route the power around that series
string. If even one full cell in a series string is shaded, it will likely cause the
module to reduce its power level to half of its full available value. If a row of
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cells at the bottom of a module is fully shaded, the power output may drop to
zero.
Shading of PV installations has an irregular impact on power
production (Deline, 2009). The shading can represent a reduction in power
over 30 times its physical size. In order to accurately predict the power lost
due to shaded conditions, it is necessary to identify the bypass diode
placement in the PV modules, where it regulates the impact of shading on a
particular module or group of cells. With an accurate description of the PV
module layout, a single site survey can provide an estimate of shade
conditions at one position, and geometric transforms can translate that shade
description to any point in the PV array. This process can provide the basis
for an accurate simulation of power reduction in a partially shaded PV
system.
The existing Photovoltaic modules in Renewable Energy Research
Centre (University of Anbar-Iraq) consist of 36 cells. These modules
(Kyocera and Solara) are often used for experimental researches. In this
experiment PV modules were placed in a dark in order to study their
behavior without illumination. Our results contain both experimental with
some mathematical calculation used to determine the effect of some the
junction parameters through an equivalent circuit model of PV.

2. The Photovoltaic Cell Modeling:
The electrical equivalent circuit of a single solar PV cell consists of a
sun light current source, a diode representing p-n junction cell, series
resistance (R
s
) and shunt resistors (R
sh
) describing an internal resistance of
cell to the current flow. More precise mathematical description of a solar
cell, which is called the double exponential model, which is derived from the
physical behavior of solar cells constructed from polycrystalline silicon.

Fig. 1. Equivalent circuit of a solar cell.
from fig. 1.:
I
PV
=I
ph
I
d
I
sh

Where:
Iph is the generated current due to sunlight irradiation, so in darkness the
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solar cell is not an active device; it works as a diode.
I
d
is a diode current
I
sh
is a current flow to shunt resistor and I
PV
is output current of a PV
module.
It considers the calculation of both series along with the junction
ideality factor (A) and the components of the diode diffusion experimentally
collected I-V and P-V curves were introduced into specially designed
software that performs numerical evaluation. The existing PV models
provide a variety of analytical results from the simulation. The PV panels
have some parameters as listed below (Mohammed, 2011)
Va=Working voltage
G=Number of suns; irradiance (1 sun=1000 W/m
2
)
K=Boltzman constant =1.3810
-23
Q=Electron Charge =1.610
-19
A=Diode quality coefficient:=2 for Crystalline Silicon, <2 for Amorphous
Silicon
Vg=Diode Voltage =1.12eV for Crystalline Silicon, <1.75 for Amorphous
Silicon
Ns=Number of cells connected in series =36
T1=Standard working temperature =25
0
C
Voc_T1=Open circuit voltage per cell to T1
1sc_T1=Current of short circuit per cell to T1
T2=Working temperature at T2
Voc_T2=Open circuit voltage per cell to T2
Isc_T2=Current of short circuit per cell to T2
Tak=Real working temperature
The derivative equations for PV panel are:
K=(Isc_T2 Isc_T1)/( T2 - T1) (1)
IL_T1 =Isc_T1 * G (2)
IL=IL_ T1 +Ko*( Tak- T1) (3)
Io_ T1=Isc_ T1/(exp(q*Voc_ T1)/(A*k*Ta-1) (4)
Io=Io_T1*( Tak/Tac)(3/A) *exp(-q*Vg/(A*k)*((1/ Tak)-(1/Tac)) (5)
Xv=Io_ T1*q/(n*k*Tac)*exp(q*Voc_T1/(A*k*Tac)) (6)
dV/dI_Voc=-1.15/Ns/2 (7)
Rs=dV\dI_Voc-(1/Xv)=Xv (8)
Vt_Ta=A*k*Tak/q (9)
Ish=Vc- Ipv*Rs/ Rsh (10)
The Newton Raphson method will be used for extracting the exact
value of current at each assigned parameter for I-V and P-V curves as given
in (11)
Ia=Ia-( IL-Ia- Io*(exp((Vc+Ia*Rs)/Vt_Ta)-1))/(-1-(Io*(exp((Vc+Ia*Rs)/(
Vt_Ia)))-Is (11)
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3. Simulation Results:
The I-V and P-V characteristic curves can be simulated by using
Matlab software to get the approximate specification of PV modules (J ihad,
2010). The efficiency of PV panels is affected by shading that caused by
clouds and trees and other blocks that prevent sun's radiation with constant
irradiation and temperature. The technical parameters for the simulated
models are given in table (1).
Table 1: Specification of Kyocera and Solara PV models with 1000 (W/m) irradiation.
Parameter Kyocera Solara
Isc (Ampere)
Current at Peak Power (Ampere)
Voc (Volt)
Voltage at Peak Power (Volt)
Pout (Watt)
Brand
Dimensions (cm)
3.31
3.11
21.7
17.4
54
J apanese
64 x 65.3 x 5.3
8.18
7.30
21.7
17.8
130
Germany
150 x 68 x 4

Three shading cases were chosen in the simulation, these are:
shading-1 (25%), shading-2 (50%), shading-3 (75%) and without shading.
Constant irradiation and temperature degree are taken into consideration of
the result part and efficiency limitations was taken in account. The results are
extracted and simulated using the Matlab software. One-diode equivalent
circuit is applied in order to investigate I-V and P-V characteristics of a
typical Kyocera 54W and Solara 130W solar modules which consists of 36
cells series connected and shunted by a bypass diode. The electrical
performance of a solar module is represented by the I-V and P-V
characteristic curves, I-V characteristic curve represents the current that is
provided and depending on the voltage generated for a certain solar
radiation. The generated current is directly proportional to solar irradiance
(G), while the voltage reduces slightly with an increasing of shading. P-V
characteristic curve represents the amount of power that a panel provides and
it depends on the voltage generated for a certain solar radiation.
Many connection ways are used to compute the shading effect on the
o/p power. A PV module consists of 36 cells connected and protected by a
bypass diode, the data collected in same time and location (In 10
th
of
September 2012, 12 AM, main park of University of Anbar-Iraq). The next
results approximately matched the result in (Mohammed, 2012). The I-V
characteristic curve for Kyocera model is shown in fig. 2.
From fig. 2. it can be seen that the current of PV model deceases as
the shading percentage increases from zero to 75%. Note that when the
shading percentage is near equal to or more than 75%, the o/p of current is
so effected and be less than the amount of current that required to use such
model for direct connection to load. If the shading is more than 75%, the
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charging current is not enough for charging batteries of 12 V even the
shading used is soft shading instead of hard shading.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
V(volt)
I
(
a
m
p
)


no shading
25% Shading
75% Shading
75% Shading

Fig. 2. I-V characteristic with shade effect of one Kyocera PV panels (54 W)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
V(volt)
P
(
W
a
t
t
)


no shading
25% Shading
75% Shading
75% Shading

Fig. 3. P-V characteristic with shade effect of one Kyocera PV (54W).

Fig. 3. Shows the PV characteristics curves for Kyocera PV module.
The power of this module is reduced by about 28% (1-36.5W /51W) as the
shading is 50% of the module size with respect to non-shading case. Also;
the maximum o/p power at non-shading is about 51W instead of 54W given
in the data sheet of such module and this is due to a difference between the
simulation modules (which gives an approximate result) and the real
generated power in the factories, when they used a solar module tester with
constant irradiance and temperature. (Mohammed, 2012) gives more details
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287
of the extracted results for models by using the existing solar module tester
in renewable energy research center university of Anbar Iraq.
Another test is done to a single Solara PV panel and shading effect
was investigated by I-V and P-V characteristics curve that shown in fig. 4.
and fig. 5. respectively.
Fig. 4. shows that the voltage generated at shade up to 50% is
gradually decreased. As the shading increased to 75% the o/p voltage is less
than 12V, which means the charging of batteries will stop if the module is
used with battery back up.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
V(volt)
I
(
a
m
p
)


no shading
25% Shading
75% Shading
75% Shading

Fig. 4. I-V characteristic with shade effect of one Solara PV module (130W).

In fig. 5., the practical maximum o/p power at non-shading is about
118W which is less than the maximum rating power of this module ( i.e.
130W) which taken in ideal environment with no efficiency limitations such
as dust, humidity and temperature. The maximum power at 50% of shading
is 60W. This is less than the maximum power by about 36% (1- 76W/119W)
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
V(volt)
P
(
W
a
t
t
)


no shading
25% Shading
75% Shading
75% Shading

Fig. 5. P-V characteristic with shade effect of one Solara PV module (130W).
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From figures above it is clear that Kyocera PV panel is less affected
by shading when the same percentage of shading was applied. The PV
modules are connected in parallel or serial ways to made the voltage
generated is close to (or greater than) the level of voltage of the batteries, and
the current generated is sufficient to feed the equipment and to charge the
batteries.
In fig. 6, connecting solar panels in series increases the generated
voltage with constant current this connection is suitable for overcoming the
problem of hard drop voltage as a result of shading or any generating
efficiency limitations.

Fig. 6. Solar PV panels in series connection

In fig. 7. the panels are connected in parallel to increase the current
with constant voltage. The number of panels used should be increased until
the amount of power generated barely greater than the satisfaction of load, so
its suitable with directly connection to load

Fig. 7. Solar PV panels in parallel connection

Table (2) provides data which was extracted by using a Matlab
simulation model, this data shows more explanation of shading effect on
maximum power point (MPP) with both parallel and series connection to
prove how shading has an effect on parallel and series connected PV panels
and what a connection has more immunity to shade effect. Both Kyocera PV
and Solara PV panels are connected in parallel in the first time and series in
the second one.

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Table 2: Shading effect on maximum power point
Model \
Connection
Shading Isc
(amp)
Voc
(volt)
Module MPP
(watt)
Max current
(amp)
Max Voltage
(volt)
One panel
Kyocera
No shading 3.31 21.1 51 3.15 16.2
25% 3.24 17.49 36.5 2.68 13.6
50% 2.85 17.1 30.5 2.35 13
75% 0.7 15.01 7.5 0.625 12
Two parallel
panels
Kyocera
No shading 6.58 21.7 92.2 6 15.3
25% 5.95 18.1 79 5.6 14.1
50% 3.3 17 38.7 3 13
75% 0.9 12.2 11 0.92 12
Two series
panels
Kyocera
No shading 3.31 43.2 99.4 3.2 31
25% 3.2 36.1 85 3 28
50% 2.87 32.42 75 2.9 27
75% 0.72 33 15 0.6 25
One panel
Solara
No shading 8.81 20.9 119 8.09 14.7
25% 7.34 16.8 76 6.38 11.8
50% 6.95 15.1 58 5.47 9.6
75% 0.8 12 4 0.43 9.4
Two parallel
panels
Solara
No shading 17.75 21.61 224 13.2 16.9
25% 16.1 17.6 180 11.4 15.8
50% 13.2 15.34 79 10.7 8
75% 0.97 12.5 10 0.91 6.9
Two series
panels
Solara
No shading 8.82 43.12 237.2 8.7 27.3
25% 7.3 36.5 194.87 7 26.5
50% 6.25 31.42 145 4.5 25
75% 0.91 24.7 17 0.83 20.4

Fig. 8. shows the performance comparison for two modules in terms
of voltage drop versus the shading effect. From table (2), it can conclude that
the model with a small size (Kyocera54W) is less affected by shading than
the module with a big size (Solara130W). For example, at 25% shading the
percentage of drop voltage of single panel is (1-13.6/16.2=19%) for Kyocera,
while it is about (1-11.8/14.7=20%) for Solara130 module. As the shading
increases the module with a small size still has better performance than the
bigger one at same percentage of shading.

Fig. 8. Percentage of drop voltage for single module
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Despite panels are identical and radiation and temperature are
constant but there is a deference of characteristics between series and parallel
ones. The details results of experimental tests given in table (2) are
summarized in fig. 9. and fig. 10. From these figures, it can be noted that the
effect of shading in parallel has strong effect on the output power than series
connection, so the power generated from panels with series connection is
larger than the power generated by parallel connected panels.

Fig. 9. Comparison of power generation between two connected Kyocera (54 Watt) PV
panels


Fig. 10. Comparison of power generation between two connected Solara 130W PV panels

In fig. 11. Photovoltaic of 600W system is build by using small
panels (50W each) and one of panels of the system is shaded with 25%, so
the voltage of system equal the voltage of shaded panel and it is 14V. The
current of system equal to 122.86=34.32A, and the power (VI) of system
is 1434.32=480W.
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Fig. 11. Twelve Kyocera panels are connected in parallel (600W system)

In fig . 12. A system of 600Watt is built by using big panels (120W
each) and one of panels of the system is shaded with 25%, so the voltage of
system equal voltage of shaded panel which is 11.9V. The current of system
equals to 66.38=38.28amp, and the power (VI) of system is
11.937.8=455W.

Fig. 12. Five Solara panels are connected in parallel (600W system)

The above results clarify that the systems with small modules have
good performance against shading or any other efficiency limitation.
Table (3) gives some of practical types of shading (Mohammed,
2012). This table shows that there are different resources of shading. The
shading is considered as a soft shading and for this reason the o/p of PV will
not drop to a high values as in the hard shading case. Also our extracted
results are in the case of soft shading.



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Table 3: Practical types of shading
Place Test description
Out of doors
(without shading)
-Area has no shade
-panels stationary
-panels positioned horizontal
Out of doors
(with shading)
-Area shaded by tree
-panels constant movement
-panels positioned horizontal
Out of doors
(moveable PV)
-Area shaded by tree
-panels constant movement
-panels positioned at 70 degree to the horizon
Out of doors shown in fig.
13
-Area shaded railing
panels stationary
panels positioned horizontal


Fig. 13. Area shaded by railing, panels is stationary and positioned horizontally

Even panels that have identical performance ratings will usually
display some variance in their characteristics due to manufacturing
processes, but the actual operating characteristics of two panels from the
same manufacturer can vary by as much as 10%. Whenever possible, it is a
good idea to test the real-world performance of individual panels to verify
their operating characteristics before assembling them into an array.

4. Charging Controllers in PV Systems:
Stand-alone photovoltaic system output cannot always be used
immediately due to constant or moving shadow, dusty weather and clouds
passing which make it unstable and sometimes useless. The primary
functions of batteries as a storage unit to supply power to electrical loads at
stable voltages and currents. The storage unit is also effected by shading as
charging stops when panel's voltage under 12 volts. Table (4) gives the
concluded results of shading effect on charging performance of batteries
from above I-V and P-V characteristics curves to all states related to the
shading effect of batteries charging. Most multi-stage charge controllers are
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of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) types. It is recommended to use one at
least for these designs. The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
controllers match the output of the solar panels to the battery voltage to
insure maximum charge (Lijun, 2009). The Power (Watts) is always equal to
volts times amps or P=V*I with a regular charge controller, if the batteries
voltage is less than 12 volts, then a 130 watt solar panel rated at 7.92 amps at
16.5 volts (7.92A times 16.5V=130W) will only charge at 7.92A times 12V
or just 95W. So a lost is about 25% of your capacity!. The MPPT controller
compensates for the lower battery voltage by delivering closer to 10.83 amps
into the 12 volt battery maintaining the full power of the 130W solar panel,
130W = 12V times 10.83A (P=V*I). The charge controller is installed
between the solar panel array and the batteries where it automatically
maintains the charge on the batteries and its maximum power.
Table 4: Shading effect on battery charging for single PV module (at 12 volt).
Type of PV Shading state Charging current
(amp)
MMP (watt)


Kyocera
No shading 4.25 51
25% 3.07 37
50% 2.75 33
75% 0.625 7.5
100% 0.33 4


Solara

No shading 9.92 119
25% 6.33 76
50% 4.83 58
75% No charging (<12) 4
100% No charging (<12) 3

5. Conclusion:
Efficiency of two PV models (Kyocera54W and Solara130W) are
tested under different percentage of shading effect. The results showed that
the shading can has more effect on current of PV than generated voltage,
which causes a reduction of the generated power. Because the generated
voltage is less than (12 volt), the charging of batteries will stop if the shading
near 75% or more. The weakest cell will bring the others down to its reduced
power level, so bypass diode must shunted with PV cells of modules to be
another route to current generated by other unshaded cells. The photovoltaic
systems with small modules sizes (dimensions) are less affected by shading
than the systems with larger modules.

Acknowledgments
This work is supported by the University of Anbar-Iraq /Renewable
Energy Research Center with Grant No. RERC-TP11.

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